Automatic leveling device



J. A. BARTHOLOMEW AUTOMATIC LEVELING DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1954 INVENTORJAMEs A BARTHOLOMEW ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 14, 1936 TED STATES PATENTOFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in liquid fuel burners, andparticularly to that type of burner employing a plate over which thefuel is I evenly distributed to maintain a uniform flame.

An important object of the invention is to provide a burner which isadjustable to define the level of the burner, and which automaticallymaintains the selected level.

A further object is to provide a burner with means for effecting theleveling adjustments While the burner is in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout,

Fig. l is a view partly in section showing one embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the fixed weight used in the burner shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the adjusting Weights, used in theburner shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4. is a view partly in section showing the manner in which theliquid fuel is conveyed into the burner, Fig. 1.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention, numeral l0 denotes the frame of arange or heater to which the burner base I I is fixed by screw l2 andnut I3. In the upwardly extending portion of base II is positionedadjusting rod I 4 which is fixed at any desired height by a headless setscrew I5. In the upper end of adjusting rod I4 is provided a recess [6in which balls Ill and I8 are freely rotatable.

Burner plate I9 is of any suitable construction as commonly employed andconstitutes the flameproducing element of the burner, the same beingprovided with grooves 31 into which the liquid fuel flows and in whichit is burned to produce heat. This plate has a downward projectingportion 2i! in which is formed a suitable recess 2| freely engaging balll8. Extending downwardly from portion 20 and fixed thereto by screws 22is a tubular member 23 on the lower end of which is fixed a circularweight 24 (as shown in Fig. 2) by a headless set screw 25. Resting onweight 2t and encircling tubular member 23 are adjustable weights 26,21, 28 and 29, which can be made of various thicknesses as required andhaving cutaway portions as shown in Fig. 3. In operation, a suitablesource of liquid fuel supply (not shown) is connected to opening 30, andthe liquid fuel passing through control valve 3|, pipe 32, flexible tube33, carbon leg 34, arrives in duct 35 in burner plate l9 and overflowsthrough openings 36 into grooves 31 in the top of burner plate 19 wherecombustion takes place.

To procure a proper distribution of the liquid fuel so as to insure aneven flame around the entire groove, it is necessary that the burnerplate be level at all times, and it will be observed that with theburner plate I 9 and its attendant chimney 38 resting on balls I! and I8(which form a pivot bearing) and the associated weights suspended ontubular member 23 being in excess of the weight of the burner plate l9,that the structure will assume an upright position.

By moving adjustable weights Z6, 21, 28 and 29 around tube 23 theirweight can be distributed so as to bring the burner plate l9 into theproper level for best combustion and by fixing these weights in thatposition by tightening set screws 39, 40, 4! and 42, the proper level ismaintained automatically at all times regardless of the distortion orout-of-level condition of the frame or foundation upon which the burnerrests.

It is well known that in burners of this type the best conditions canoften be obtained by adjusting the level while the burner is inoperation and by the foregoing construction this can be accomplishedwithout inconvenience.

It is understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is a preferred example of the same, and that various changesin the shape and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a self-leveling support for a liquid fuel burner, a supportingbase, a recessed member supported thereby, a ball supported in therecess in said member, a second ball supported on said first ball, aplate supported on said secondball and having a portion extending belowsaid balls,

and a weight carried on the downwardly extended portion of said plate.

2. In a self-leveling support for a liquid fuel burner, a supportingbase, a recessed member supported thereby, a ball supported in therecess in said member, a second ball supported on said first ball, aplate supported on said second ball and having a downwardly extendingportion forming a tubular member encircling said recessed member andextending below said balls, and an adjustable weight carried on saidtubular member below said balls and adapted to maintain said plate in ahorizontal position.

JAMES A. BARTHOLOMEW.

